40 



THE STUDY NOT UNPROFITABLE. 



taken by Shakspeare of insects ere they assume their 

 perfect form. Enough has been adduced to show 

 that he was aware of their changes, and familiar 

 with the appearance and economy of those belonging 

 to very different orders. But as you may perhaps 

 wish to hear something of the powers occasionally 

 exercised in this part of the kingdom by those dimi- 

 nutive and apparently contemptible beings, I shall 

 send you shortly some notes respecting their ravages. 

 After I have thus " showed you all the qualities 

 o' the isle," you remain at perfect liberty to abjure 

 Entomology, should it appear to you 



"Weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable." 



